Advent is the first season of the church year, beginning with the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continuing through the day before Christmas. The name is derived from a Latin word for “coming.” The season is a time of preparation and expectation for the coming celebration of our Lord’s nativity, and for the final coming of Christ “in power and glory.”

During Advent we light the Advent wreath. The wreath is a circle of greenery marked by four candles that represent the four Sundays of the season of Advent. An additional candle is lit as each new Sunday is celebrated in Advent. Advent wreaths are used both in churches and in homes for devotional purposes. The candles may be blue, purple, or lavender, depending on the local custom. Some Advent wreaths include a white candle in the center known as the “Christ Candle,” which is lit on Christmas Eve.

It is often helpful to develop a personal approach to Advent. Some people use this season to take on a new behavior similar to Lent, but often the behavior for Advent includes an act of charity or kindness or thoughtfulness rather than self denial as in Lent. In one setting where I worked in we had Advent Friends, similar to a Secret Santa, but rather than just small gifts we offered prayer and wrote small poems or devotions for the person. Another way to approach Advent is through a Daily Devotional or Reflection Guide. This year we have a Daily Reflection for Advent & Christmas entitled Waiting in Joyful Hope 2005-06. It is written by Katherine Howard, O.S.B. and printed by Liturgical Press, Katherine is a former prioress of St. Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, Minnesota. These reflections are an encounter with the soul of a woman who has spent her life dedicated to the Christian and Benedictine Way: to lectio divina, centering prayer, vibrant involvement, community life, and biblical and liturgical scholarship. Pick up your copy in the entranceway of the church.

Advent Series: Each Wednesday evening in Advent we will gather together to prepare for the celebration of the birth of Christ. At 6:00 pm a simple meal will be provided by the church and sign up today so that we will have adequate food prepared for you. Child care provided by reservation only. There will be a brief reflection and discussion followed by an optional labyrinth walk meditation. We will conclude by 8:00pm. Too often we become engulfed by the culture and respond to this joyous occasion with consumerism and stress. The holidays can be a time fraught with mixed emotions and so busy we forget to take the time to choose what is important for ourselves. Please come for one or all of these gatherings.

Week 1 - November 30 “You Can Choose Christmas Part 1"
Week 2 – December 7 “You Can Choose Christmas Part 2”
Week 3 – December 14 “You Can Choose Christmas Part 3”
Week 4 – December 21 “Blue Christmas Liturgy”

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